SOLIHULL, United Kingdom — Celebrities have a unique and powerful position when it comes to the fight for global justice, and when used to their advantage they can enable great change and improve countless lives. It is not just the money they have, and often a lot of it, but huge platforms which give them the capability of influencing millions who idolize them. Below are some of the U.K.’s most inspiring celebrities who do just that, making them real role models.
Ellie Simmonds
The Paralympic gold medallist is certainly famous for her inspiring swimming skills and achievements, defying the odds against her being born as a person with a disability. However, she herself was so inspired during her trip to Uganda alongside WaterAid that she became an ambassador for the charity.
In 2022 Ellie initiated WaterAid’s new program “Water Means Life,” which aims to focus on eradicating the hygiene crisis present in health care centers globally. Mozambique will be just one of the many places where health care centers will benefit from the goal of £2.5 million the scheme raised before the end of 2023.
Emma Thomson
Globally famous for her star acting in Love Actually, Nanny McPhee and much more, what is less well-known about this actress is her contributions to poverty reduction globally. Since 2002 she has been an ActionAid Ambassador, working for the charity which focuses on improving the conditions of those living in poverty whilst also focusing on uplifting women and young girls worldwide. She has supported a multitude of programs including ones that focus on HIV and AIDS, as well as women’s rights and has traveled with the charity to countries such as Uganda and Burma to see the charity’s efforts in real life.
ActionAid has enabled many communities in poverty to reach their milestones, such as in Burma where they helped local governments to set up new schools and health care systems. The actress said, “Frankly, working with ActionAid has been one of the most inspiring, thrilling gifts of my life.”
Michael Sheen
Having appeared in the headlines back in 2021 when he declared himself a “not-for-profit actor,” Sheen revealed he would no longer be keeping any profits from his career, but rather would be donating the money to various charities and causes. It is not surprising therefore that this Welsh celebrity had already been contributing to good in the world for a long time prior.
In 2010 he began supporting UNICEF U.K. whilst working as part of Soccer Aid, before stepping up to become an ambassador for the organization. As part of his work, the actor flew to Lebanon in late 2013 to meet with children that had been forced to leave their homes and were seeking safety in refugee camps. In early 2016 he returned to the same region to again meet with families living in the camps and see UNICEF’s work to support such communities.
Using Their Wealth for Good
It is no secret that crucial life-saving aid requires money and these three British icons are just a few of the U.K.’s most inspiring celebrities who use their unusually high incomes and statuses to make a difference in the world. They provide hope that fame does not always lead to moral corruption and act as an inspiration that anyone can contribute to making a positive change in the world, and no one is above doing so.
– Hannah Naylor
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